Coping with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) since the Vietnam War and more recently with the death of a beloved pet, an Army veteran finds mutual healing with a shelter dog beset by separation anxiety.
Army strong for nearly 20 years
George decided to enlist in the Army when the draft started for the Vietnam War. He was a combat engineer and demolition expert and, after serving three years in Germany, decided to reenlist. Shortly thereafter he began studying computers and completed four tours of duty in Korea as a computer operator.
Sadly, George was no stranger to the horrors of … [Read more...]

You’ve done your research, budgeted for a new pet, visited animal shelters, found the perfect pet – and now you’re ready to bring your adopted pet home. However, your job as a pet parent is just beginning. You need to prepare your home and family to help minimize your pet's stress and make it easier for him to adjust to his new life.
Like children, pets need structure and consistency, and will thrive in an environment where they know what is or is not permissible. Providing a good home for a companion pet involves commitments to bonding, structure and discipline, quality care, safety and … [Read more...]

Meli was a shelter dog with three strikes against her who scored a definite home run when she was adopted by a retired Navy veteran in Virginia.
For her entire life Gail always had pets. Growing up in Fayetteville, New York it was "at least two dogs at all times," yet it took four years from the death of her last dog in 2010 for the retired Navy veteran to feel ready to welcome another dog to her family.
Deployments and dogs and cats, oh my!
During her long career in the Navy, Gail "saw the world." In addition to being stationed across the United States, including Hawaii, she deployed to … [Read more...]

The dictionary defines 'lamb' as one who is gentle and innocent, words that describe the 'perfect dog' honorably adopted by Michael, a career Air Force veteran, as a promise to his young daughter. She wanted to prove that she could be responsible to care for a pet of her own, and even spent her allowance to help pay for the dog's adoption fee.
Our thanks to Michael for sharing their story.
Emma, the perfect dog
I stood there, holding Emma while I signed the paperwork and reflected on her past five months with us.
Back in May, a nine-pound mini Dachshund at the shelter climbed in my … [Read more...]

Trying to adjust to a civilian lifestyle became a painful challenge for Timothy, a Vietnam veteran and Purple Heart recipient whose only refuge lay with the many dogs and cats that he brought into his life after the war. Even now, he describes those animals as “the only friends I had.”
Tragically, this refuge was taken away from Timothy when his wife at the time got rid of his pets against his will.
Years later, Timothy has found solace and comfort again in Melanie, an intensely caring and loyal Great Pyrenees adopted through Pets for Patriots’ partnership with the Humane Society of West … [Read more...]

Your new best friend might be anyone but new; he or she just might be a senior pet. November is National Adopt a Senior Pet Month and a time worth considering the many benefits of senior pet adoption.
Mature dogs and cats have many advantages when compared to their younger counterparts, yet are often the first to face death or permanent homelessness as adopters overlook them in favor of puppies and kittens.
How older pets end up in shelters in the first place
While senior pets are in shelters for many of the same reasons as younger animals, they are often surrendered or abandoned simply … [Read more...]

Charles is an Air Force veteran who suffered with a deep and prolonged depression until he took a chance - on a shelter dog named Chance - and regained a sense of purpose in his life. Our thanks to Charles for sharing his tale, and to Big Dog Ranch Rescue for helping us make this story possible.
Chance was shipped to Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Wellington, Florida from a high kill shelter in Georgia. He had only been there a few days when we made our trip to meet some potential dogs available for adoption. We knew right away he was the one.
I served in the United States Air Force for six years … [Read more...]

It took a four-legged "ghost" with an ever-wagging tail to help an Army officer cope with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In the process, the shelter dog - coping with stresses of his own - found a new life as a much loved and constant companion.
Born to serve
Pedro knew from a very young age that he wanted to join the military; watching movies and seeing soldiers on the street made a lasting impression on him.
“Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be a soldier,” he recalls. “I wanted to put that uniform on.”
Eventually when Pedro came of age he learned more about serving in the … [Read more...]

You can help us win $50,000 to save 200 last-chance shelter pets and place them into loving homes with United States military veterans.
The Michelson Found Animals Saving Pets Challenge is taking place right now through Crowdrise and ends at 11:59:59 AM Eastern on October 30th - and we're determined to win!
We're trying to raise as much money as possible for our cause so we can win the $50,000, but need your help today. If you were planning a year-end gift to Pets for Patriots, we urge you to make it now because if we win a prize, your gift will go even further.
Every donation … [Read more...]

Special needs pets are among the most challenging for shelters and rescue groups to adopt out, and many never find a loving home. Yet your perfect companion might just have her own pair of wheels to get around, or rely on visual commands instead of verbal ones.Three legs, one eye and limitless loveIn a survey conducted by Petfinder, it was found that these dogs and cats often wait four times longer than average to be adopted – a long time spent without a family, security and unconditional love, and all due to reasons beyond the animal’s control. These dogs and cats are overlooked because of … [Read more...]